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TICKET ARCHIVE -> C: drive failure

No Wonder User - May 19, 1998 - 8:06 am

Problem:
Problem (other):
Computer Type: packard bell
Computer Type (other):
Model: 486
Program:
RAM: Not related
RAM Enhancer:
OS Version: Not related
Service Pack:
Extra Info:

Description:
I HAD a 486 with only Windows, MS Word and Internet for the kids to use. Somehow or other someone did fdisk and wiped everything out. Now only A Drive is accessible. When I type C: the message is Invalid drive specification. When I reboot the message is
"C: drive failure
PRESS F1 TO RESUME SETUP"
I have the MS DOS 6.22 and Windows disks. How do I get my C Drive back?


Send Attachments? Yes

No Wonder Tech - May 19, 1998 - 9:09 am

HI Vicky:

I'm Juan Pedro and I'll try to get your HD up and running again:

If you have access to another PC use it to make a bootable disk. Insert a blank disk in A: (in the other machine) and type:

format a: /s

When the format finishes copy the FDISK and FORMAT commands into the new floppy. If DOS is in C:\DOS, type

copy c:\dos\fdisk.* a:
copy c:\dos\format.* a:

If you don't have another PC at hand, start the installation of MSDOS with your floppies. If the installation detects you need to repartition, accept the setting offered to you. If not, press F3 during the installation to get the prompt.

One way or another, use fdisk to create the C:\partition:

FDISK
create primary partition
use all disk space
reboot

(sorry, i'm spanish and don't know how FDISK show messages in the english version, but you should follows the messagess).

After reboot you should format the c: drive with the /s option:

format c: /s

When the format finishes you should be able to do C: and see the drive.

Now, it's time to reinstall everything.

Hope this helps. If you need further assistance with this questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Juan Pedro.